Episode 12 – Marketing Transformation in the AI Era: Storytelling, Trust, and Leadership with Dr. Laura Bonamici
Published on June 19, 2026
Insights By Custom Media
Insights By Custom Media
Published on June 19, 2026
This month’s roundup covers the latest innovations and developments from Japan’s SaaS industry, including a cloud hospital platform closing a ¥3 billion Series C on the back of new government digitization mandates, an all-in-one hospitality SaaS raising its Series A amid Japan’s inbound tourism surge, a sales AI agent attracting regional bank CVCs with early ARR traction and a CRM automation pitch and a seed-stage startup that lets SaaS companies plug generative AI camera vision into their existing products without building the infrastructure themselves.
Entering Japan's market means navigating a patchwork of cybersecurity laws, from the far-reaching APPI to sector-specific ESPA requirements. Unlike the US or EU, Japan has no single overarching framework, making compliance both nuanced and critical. For foreign firms, getting it right isn't just a legal obligation. It's the foundation of trust in one of the world's most reputation-driven business environments.
Japan’s talent shortage is not a pipeline problem. It is, in David Sweet’s words, an epidemic and most foreign companies are making it worse by using the wrong tools and hiring for the wrong tasks.
April 2026's Japan SaaS roundup covers a Series A for a satellite data platform backed by NTT Docomo and JR East, a scholarship management SaaS closing its Series B, a Niigata-based 3D decision-support platform raising its first-ever outside capital, and construction SaaS giant rolling out AI agents across its platform.
B2B buyers are already 60 to 80% through their decision before they ever contact your team. In Episode 10 of the Asia AIM Podcast, Trendemon COO Halel Porat explains how the rise of AI is reshaping the B2B buyer journey and what marketers need to do right now to stay visible.
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The most important skills are creativity, thinking outside the box, and the ability to gain a deep understanding of the problems and challenges the client is facing.
I’ve spent about 18 years in Japan, over three stints since 1987. After graduating from the London School of Journalism in 1992, my first job was as a stringer in Havana, Cuba, for the Daily Telegraph.
I take care of our bigger clients and I promote the company to interest new clients. I also have a passion for events.
Insightful survey reveals insights from the Japanese media landscape
Creative marketing and communications agency Custom Media won two top prizes at the annual Digital Impact Awards Asia.
The Public Relations Network (PRN) announces today that Custom Media in Tokyo, Japan, has joined its network of international PR agencies.